I watched Mean Girls (2024) and I don’t like it 2/5
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The Mean Girls (2024) remake tries to update the iconic 2004 comedy for a new generation, but unfortunately, it falls short of the original’s sharp wit and charm. While the story of high school cliques, social pressures, and popularity contests is still relatable, this reboot lacks the bite and humor that made the first Mean Girls such a cult classic. Despite a fresh cast and a few modern updates, this remake feels more like a watered-down rehash than a worthy successor.
The plot stays largely the same: Cady Heron, a new girl in school, navigates the social jungle of high school and falls in with the infamous “Plastics” before realizing the cost of popularity. But this time around, the jokes don’t land with the same punch, and the satirical edge that made Tina Fey’s original script so memorable has been softened. Instead of digging into new themes relevant to today’s teens, the movie sticks too closely to the original script, leaving it feeling redundant.
The cast, while talented, struggles to bring the same energy and charisma to their roles. The new Cady is likable enough, but her performance lacks the awkward charm Lindsay Lohan brought to the role. Similarly, the new “Plastics” feel like polished imitations rather than unique characters. Regina George, the iconic queen bee, is still fierce, but she’s missing the icy, calculating edge that Rachel McAdams made famous. The performances feel dialed down, and there’s a noticeable lack of chemistry among the cast, which makes the relationships feel shallow.
The film tries to modernize the high school experience with updated references to social media and digital culture, but it often comes across as forced. Mentions of influencers, TikTok trends, and Instagram wars are shoehorned in without adding anything meaningful to the story. Rather than feeling fresh, these updates seem like an attempt to stay relevant, but they don’t add depth or insight into today’s social dynamics. If anything, they serve as distractions, taking away from the timelessness of the original story.
Visually, the movie is glossy and well-produced, with vibrant colors and polished cinematography that makes the high school world look hyper-stylized. But while it looks good, the slick aesthetic doesn’t capture the more grounded, relatable feel of the 2004 version. It’s almost as if the film is trying too hard to look cool and contemporary rather than focusing on what really made the original resonate: its honesty and authenticity.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that the humor feels toned down. The original Mean Girls was sharp, quotable, and fearless in its satire, capturing the absurdities of high school life in a way that felt fresh and bold. This remake, however, pulls its punches, relying on safe, predictable jokes that lack the originality of Tina Fey’s writing. There are a few moments that earn a chuckle, but overall, it’s missing the kind of laugh-out-loud moments that made the original so iconic.
In the end, Mean Girls (2024) feels like an unnecessary attempt to capitalize on nostalgia without adding anything new to the story. While younger viewers who aren’t familiar with the original may enjoy it as a light high school comedy, fans of the 2004 classic will likely find this remake lacking in the wit, charm, and heart that made Mean Girls unforgettable. For a film that’s all about standing out, this remake ironically fades into the background.